Aquilani: I will always be Roma fan

Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani says he will always be a Roma fan, after agreeing to leave the Eternal City for Liverpool.

Published

6 August 2009

The 25-year-old made more than 100 league appearances for the Stadio Olimpico outfit since making his debut in 2002, scoring nine times.

However, the Italian international, who has 11 caps for the Azzurri, will be plying his trade on Merseyside this season, after a fee - believed to be in the region of £20 million - was agreed for the playmaker to attempt to fill the boots of Xabi Alonso at Anfield, after the Spaniard departed for Real Madrid.

Roma captain, Francesco Totti, stated that Aquilani will be missed in the Italian capital after news of the midfielder's exit was made official, telling Il Corriere dello Sport:

"I am sorry about Alberto, who, as well as being a friend, is a great player and a Roman. He will be missed."

And Liverpool's latest acquisition has responded in kind, thanking the Giallorossi icon for his kind words, and the club's fans for their support over the years.

"I regret that I am moving on," he said.

"The words from Francesco Totti? I thank him, because he is a great player. He is also a great friend and to hear him say those phrases is nice. I was always a fan of Rome and still am.

"I want to cordially thank all the Roma fans, who were like neighbours to me and me to them."